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Left-winger Curtis Glencross partook in his first practice with the team since suffering a sprained MCL on Nov. 5. His reward on Monday was some chirping from Brian McGrattan while he was addressing the media.

“You kind of miss it,” said Glencross, who collected five goals and nine points in 15 games before being injured. “Grats always has some-thing to say. When you’re getting dressed by yourself before anyone else gets to the rink, it’s pretty quiet. As soon as Grats gets in the room, the clown show begins.”

Left-winger TJ Galiardi also took the next step to being back in action by practising for the first time since suffering a back injury.

“It took longer than I thought it would, but it could have been worse if it was a disc issue,” said Galiardi, who last played Nov. 20, was a healthy scratch a couple days later and then was sent to the infirmary.

“I was crawling to the bathroom for two days. I couldn’t move.”

Galiardi has netted one goal and six points in 22 games.

Neither player is expected to suit up when the Flames play host to the Boston Bruins Tuesday night.

“The timing’s a little off. It’s going to take a couple of skates to get it,” said Glencross, whose original prognosis was a six-week stint on the shelf.

“Other than that, I felt pretty good. Hopefully we can get back as soon as possible.

“There’s nothing worse than sitting out and watching a hockey game. Whether you’re injured or a scratch, nobody wants to be in that situation. At the same time, when you’re injured, you get time to watch the game from a different perspective. I definitely don’t want to be up there (in the press box) for a while again.”

After clearing waivers, defenceman Derek Smith was sent to the AHL Abbotsford Heat. Smith has been a healthy scratch more games than not, and has collected one assist and a minus-5 rating in 11 games. The move gives the team a space if a player is healthy enough to return to action … Flames head coach Bob Hartley said Reto Berra will start in net against the Bruins.

Left-winger Curtis Glencross partook in his first practice with the team since suffering a sprained MCL on Nov. 5. His reward on Monday was some chirping from Brian McGrattan while he was addressing the media.

“You kind of miss it,” said Glencross, who collected five goals and nine points in 15 games before being injured. “Grats always has some-thing to say. When you’re getting dressed by yourself before anyone else gets to the rink, it’s pretty quiet. As soon as Grats gets in the room, the clown show begins.”

Left-winger TJ Galiardi also took the next step to being back in action by practising for the first time since suffering a back injury.

“It took longer than I thought it would, but it could have been worse if it was a disc issue,” said Galiardi, who last played Nov. 20, was a healthy scratch a couple days later and then was sent to the infirmary.